Maserati is considering a limited-run of a flagship model that features the marque’s V6 powertrain as well as a manual transmission, Autocar has reported.
The upcoming flagship model is said to be based on the Maserati GranTurismo and this will be joined by a twin model from Alfa Romeo, in a way similar to the Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale is based on the Maserati MC20 (since facelifted as the MCPura).
“We have infinite possibilities to customise products for our customers, for the entire range of Maserati. I’m imagining to do something like we did in the past, also considering Alfa Romeo,” Maserati and Alfa Romeo CEO Santo Ficili told Autocar.
Ficili referenced previous joint work between the two Italian marques such as the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione that was based on the previous-generation GranTurismo, which was produced at the Maserati plant in Modena which also made the mid-engined 4C.
Any limited-production models from Maserati to use the Nettuno V6 engine will likely boast of outputs higher than those of the MCPura, though it is unlikely to employ electrification to attain the output gains.
“There are still customers looking for pure mechanical [internal combustion] cars,” said Maserati engineering chief Davide Danesin, who added that there is a “bad feeling” about having a battery aboard a supercar as it brings more complexity and weight.
The pre-chamber combustion technology featured in the Nettuno engine means that Maserati can keep the engine in production with the same output figures once Euro 7 emissions regulations take effect, said Autocar. Meanwhile, the limited-run Maserati also presents an opportunity for the Italian marque to reintroduce a manual gearbox to its model range.
“A manual gearbox is an opportunity. I don’t see that in big series [production], but why not do a special ve rsion with a manual gearbox? No reason to say never. It could be the right choice for a limited edition of a car. By doing a purely mechanical [internal combustion] car, it does make sense to have a mechanical gearbox with a shifter,” Danesin said.
Meanwhile, Maserati and Alfa Romeo CEO Ficili said that he plans to emphasise Maserati’s Italian heritage, saying that the brand’s headquarters in Modena is “the right place” to build sports cars. This location is where production of the next GranTurismo and GranCabrio will take place, and any V6-based special edition model will be closely related to those cars, according to the report.
Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.
